Hair tie and ornament holder

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a hair tie, having an elastic member extendable toward opposing ends and complementary fasteners located at at least two portions of the elastic member. Optionally, the invention may include an ornament holder, having a fastener configured to removably attach to an elastic member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Elastic hair ties have long been used as fashion accessories to secureloose hair in a gathered position. The common hair tie is structured asan elastic member in a circular form. The process of tying a section ofgathered hair begins with inserting the section of hair through thecircular hair tie. The user then turns a portion of the hair tie so asto form a twist in the elastic, and inserts the section of hair into theopen loop of the twisted hair tie. This twisting and re-inserting isrepeated until the hair is tightly secured within the elastic hair tie.

One disadvantage of this form of hair tie is the difficulty with whichthe final cycle of twisting and re-inserting is performed. The usertypically maneuvers the open loop with one hand by inserting fingersinto the loop, and then pulls the section of hair with those fingersthrough the loop. As the grip on the hair is increasingly tightened witheach re-insertion of the hair into the hair tie, the diameter of theopen loop is also decreased. Thus, the user often finds it difficult tofit both the section of hair and his or her fingers through the finalopen loop, so as to pull the hair through the loop a final time in orderto secure the hair to a desired tightness.

Another embodiment of a hair tie consists of a circular elastic member,with two points clasped together in the center to form a figure eightshape. Attached to each of the two loops of the figure eight is asizable object. The user may stretch the elastic by pulling the twoobjects in opposing directions, wrap the elastic around a section ofhair a few times, and fasten the hair tie around the hair by insertingthe object attached to one loop through the other loop. The two objectsthus lock each other in place via elastic tension, and the hair tie isthus securely anchored because the objects are large enough to preventslippage of one object out of the loop to which the other is attached.

This embodiment, however, also has its disadvantages. The large size ofthe objects attached to the elastic can create a hindrance to the finalstep of inserting of one of the objects into the elastic loop, if theelastic has been wrapped around so as to form a very tight grip, as isoften the case. In addition, the indiscreet size of the objects may bestylistically undesirable for certain individuals, especially adults orolder children.

Hence, it would be desirable to have an embodiment of a hair tie withoutthe above-described disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a hair tie in an open position.

FIG. 2A shows another embodiment of a hair tie in an open position.

FIG. 2B shows an embodiment of a hair tie in a closed position.

FIG. 3A shows two embodiments of an adjustable hook fastener.

FIG. 3B shows an embodiment of an adjustable button fastener.

FIG. 3C shows an embodiment of an adjustable clasp fastener.

FIGS. 4A-B show embodiments of a hair tie and an ornament holderconfigured to removably attach a decorative ornament to the hair tie.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an ornament holder configured to removablyattach to a hair tie.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a hair tie, having an elastic memberextendable toward opposing ends and complementary fasteners located atat least two portions of the elastic member. Optionally, the inventionmay include an ornament holder, having a fastener configured toremovably attach to an elastic member.

Referring to FIG. 1A, an embodiment of a hair tie 1100 in an openposition is illustrated. Hair tie 1100 may include, for example, anelastic member 1102 and fastener 1104. Referring to FIG. 1B, anotherembodiment of a hair tie 100 in an open position is illustrated. Hairtie 100 may include, for example, an elastic member 102 andcomplementary fasteners 104 and 106.

Referring to FIG. 2A, another embodiment of a hair tie 200 in an openposition is illustrated. Hair tie 200 may include, for example, anelastic member 202 covered by fabric 203, and complementary fasteners204 and 206, utilizing the loop (soft) surface 205 and the hook (hard)surface 207 of Velcro, respectively, in this embodiment. For purposes ofsecuring, for example, a section of hair in a gathered position, a usermay hold either fastener 204/206 at one position, wrap elastic member202 around the section of hair one or more times a secure grip iscreated around the hair. The user may then press the hook/loop surface207/205 of the complementary fastener 206/204 onto the loop/hook surface205/207 of fastener 204/206 to anchor the hair tie 200 in a closedposition as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Although the figure illustrates asingle loop of elastic member 202 to form the opening 208 through whichhair may be held, opening 208 may be formed by the user wrapping elasticmember 202 around the hair more than once before attaching hair tie 200in a closed position using fasteners 204 and 206.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-C, alternative embodiments of complementaryfasteners are shown as elastic loop 351 and female ends 350, 352, and354, corresponding to male ends 360, 362, and 364. Referring to FIG. 3A,hook 360 may adjustably secure end 320 to opposing end 310 by hookingonto any of the openings 350 a-d. Alternatively, hook 360 may adjustablysecure end 320 to opposing end 311 by hooking onto elastic loop 351,which may be formed as an extension of elastic member 331, or as anelastic loop separately coupled to elastic member 331. Either female end350 or 351, in conjunction with hook 360, may allow for the convenientand adjustable closure of a hair tie. Female end 351 may allow foradjustability given its elasticity alone. Female end 350 may allow foradjustability via its multiple openings 350 a-d. In addition, ends 311,310, and 320 may allow for adjustability via the elasticity of elasticmembers 331, 330, and 340, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 3B, snap button 362 may adjustably secure end 322 toopposing end 312 by snapping into any of the openings 352 a-d. Referringto FIG. 3C, clasp 364 may adjustably secure end 324 to opposing end 314by clasping onto any of the openings 354 a-d. Although the figuresillustrate four openings (350, 352, 354)a-d on female ends 350, 352, and354, fewer or more openings may be constructed on female ends 350, 352,and 354.

The disclosed embodiments have the advantages of ease of use,adjustability, and discreet style. Since the disclosed embodiments of ahair tie may be wrapped around hair from an open position into a closedposition, the difficulties of twisting and re-inserting with the commoncircular hair tie are avoided. Since fasteners 204 and 206, as well asalternative embodiments 350-352, 354, 360, 362, and 364 do not requirethe inserting of a large object through a tight elastic loop, thedifficulty of anchoring a figure-eight hair tie is avoided. In addition,the structural nature of the disclosed complementary fasteners lend to amore desirable option for individuals who prefer a style that is morediscreet than that of the figure-eight hair tie.

Referring to FIG. 4A-B, embodiments of a hair tie may be configured toremovably hold a decorative ornament. For example, in FIG. 4A, snapbutton hole 408 may be attached to end 414 of elastic member 402, andmay receive snap button 410 attached to ornament 412. The user may thusattach or remove an ornament from hair tie 400 as desired. In analternative embodiment, a snap button hole may be attached to ornament412 to receive a snap button attached to end 414. Other removablefasteners such as Velcro or other types of buttons may also be used inplace of or in combination with the snap button configuration.

As another example, FIG. 4B shows fasteners 424 and 426 attached tosecure elastic member 422 in a closed position. In the embodiment shown,fastener 426 attaches via hook surface 427 to loop surface 425 offastener 424. The surface of fastener 426 not attached to fastener 424includes Velcro loop material 428, and may receive Velcro hook surface430 attached to ornament 432. This allows the user to removably attachornament 432 to hair tie 420. In alternative embodiments, loop and hooksurfaces may be switched to hook and loop surfaces, respectively. Otherremovable fasteners such as a button configuration may also be used inplace of or in combination with Velcro.

Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of an ornament holder configured toremovably attach to a hair tie is illustrated. As an example, ornamentholder 500 includes clip 510 with ornament 512 attached. Clip 510 isconfigured to easily but securely grip onto elastic member 202 with asimple push onto elastic member 202 through clip legs 510 a and 510 b.Clip 510 may be constructed with any of various materials. Anotherembodiment of clip 510 may include a hinged, spring-loaded clip leg toallow a user to snap the clip onto elastic member 202 by opening andthen closing the clip leg. Other fasteners may also be used to achievesimilar ease and removeability of attaching an ornament onto an elasticmember. Further, ornament holder 500 may be used on elastic members andhair ties other than those shown in the figures.

Other embodiments may allow the simultaneous removable attachment ofmore than one ornament to a hair tie or elastic member. Ornaments 412,432, and 512 may be decorative and of various sizes, shapes, colors, andmaterials. Alternatively, they may be stylistically plain and discreet.

Referring to FIG. 6, embodiments of hair ties 600 a and 600 b areillustrated. Hair tie 600 a/b may include elastic member 602 a/b, withfastener 604 a/b disposed at an end. A portion of elastic member 602a/b, which may include the entire elastic member or a partial sectionthereof, may be wrapped in soft/hook Velcro material 603 a/b, andfastener 604 a/b may include complementary hook/soft Velcro material 605a/b. This configuration may allow for even more flexibility as to theposition at which a user may secure an end of a hair tie. For example, auser may wrap hair tie 600 a/b around a few times and then secure thehook/soft material 605 a/b of fastener 604 a/b to any point on thesoft/hook material 603 a/b of elastic member 602 a/b. This may obviateany need for a user to first find an opposing end of elastic member 602a/b before anchoring fastener 604 a/b.

Referring to FIG. 7, embodiments of hair ties 700 a and 700 b areillustrated. Hair tie 700 a/b may include elastic member 702 a/b, withfasteners 704 a/b and 706 a/b disposed at either ends. A portion ofelastic member 702 a/b, which may include the entire elastic member or apartial section thereof, may be wrapped in soft/hook Velcro material 703a/b, and fasteners 704 a/b and 706 a/b may include complementaryhook/soft Velcro material 705/707(a/b). Similarly to hair tie 600 a/b,the embodiment 700 a/b may also provide increased adjustability inwrapping and securing a hair tie. Additionally, hair tie 700 a/b mayallow for a secure hold with each looping of the hair tie. For example,a user may grip onto the end of elastic member 702 a/b at which fastener704 a/b is disposed, and choose to loop elastic member 702 a/b around abundle of hair four times before finally securing fastener 706 a/b tothe soft/hook material 703 a/b of elastic member 702 a/b. However, auser may also anchor a portion of elastic member 702 a/b via itssoft/hook material 703 a/b to the hook/soft material 705 a/b of fastener704 a/b with even the first looping, and possibly subsequent loopings.This may provide not only a more secure overall hold, but also increasedease in fastening the hair tie, as a user may not be required to griponto both the hair tie and the bundle of hair as tightly after the firstlooping is anchored.

Although the above embodiments are described and illustrated in thecontext of fashion, the scope of the invention extends to otherapplications where such functions are useful. Furthermore, while theforegoing description has been put forth with reference to particularembodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that these are onlyillustrative of the invention and that changes may be made to thoseembodiments without departing from the principles of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1. A hair tie, comprising: an elastic member extendable toward opposingends; and complementary fasteners located at at least two portions ofthe elastic member.
 2. A hair tie according to claim 1, wherein the atleast two portions include two opposing ends of the elastic member.
 3. Ahair tie according to claim 1, further comprising an ornament holderconfigured to hold a decorative ornament.
 4. A hair tie according toclaim 3, wherein the ornament holder is configured to removably hold adecorative ornament on a portion of the elastic member.
 5. A hair tieaccording to claim 3, wherein the ornament holder is configured toremovably hold a decorative ornament on a fastener.
 6. A hair tieaccording to claim 3, wherein the ornament holder comprises materialchosen from the group including Velcro and a component of a buttonfastening configuration.
 7. A hair tie according to claim 1, wherein theelastic member is wrapped in a fabric.
 8. A hair tie according to claim1, wherein the elastic member is wrapped in a first Velcro fasteningmaterial, and a second Velcro fastening material complementary to thefirst Velcro fastening material is disposed at at least one end of theelastic member.
 9. A hair tie according to claim 8, wherein the secondVelcro fastening material is dispose at at least two ends of the elasticmember.
 10. A hair tie according to claim 1, wherein the complementaryfasteners are complementary Velcro fasteners configured to removablyattach when held juxtaposed to each other.
 11. A hair tie according toclaim 1, wherein the complementary fasteners include a male end and afemale end configured to receive the male end.
 12. A hair tie accordingto claim 11, wherein the complementary fasteners are configured to allowthe female end to receive the male end in any one of a plurality ofpositions.
 13. A hair tie according to claim 11, wherein the male end ischosen from the group including a hook, button, and clasp.
 14. A hairtie according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the complementaryfasteners is configured to removably hold a decorative ornament.
 15. Anornament holder, comprising: a fastener configured to removably attachto an elastic member.
 16. An ornament holder according to claim 15,wherein the fastener comprises material chosen from the group includingVelcro and a component of a button fastening configuration.
 17. Anornament holder according to claim 15, wherein the fastener isconfigured to hold a decorative ornament.
 18. An ornament holderaccording to claim 15, wherein the fastener comprises a clip configuredto removably clip onto the elastic member.
 19. An ornament holderaccording to claim 18, further comprising: a decorative ornamentattached to the clip.
 20. A device for holding bundles of elongatedobjects, comprising: an elastic member extendable toward opposing ends;and complementary fasteners located at at least two portions of theelastic member.
 21. A device according to claim 20, wherein one of theelongated objects is hair.